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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 7, 2004 11:47:08 GMT
Headline: He shoots, He misses!
Subtitle: That was the reputation Ade Akinbiyi earned during an awful spell at Leicester City. But, as Stoke fans know, the big mans back on target
Think Ade Akinbiyi and you invariably think of that sorry day when the then-Leicester City striker missed so many chances against Liverpool that the cow/banjo proverb was hurled around like confetti. It was an afternoon indicative of Akinbiyis time at Filbert Street, but it would be doing the 19 year old a huge disservice to cast him as a goalscoring no-hoper
Fans of Gillingham, Bristol City and Wolves can testify to Akinbiyi's potential potency, likewise the managers who have shelled out a total of £12.5 m for his services during his 10 year professional career. In fact, 105 goal from 267 appearances can mark him out as one of the nationwides most prolific strikers and although you sense some agitation when Leicester is mentioned, Akinbiyi insists his time with the foxes hasn't left any scars.
"I would like to think my goal record speaks for itself so i wasn't going to let one bad season affect the rest of my career," he says "I was relatively content with ten goals in my first season there, but the wheels started to come off when we lost to Wycombe in the FA cup."
"Our poor form continued on into the 2001-02 season, chances were not being created or goals scored and i began to be targeted by certain sections of the Leicester fans. But my positive attitude meant i never let the negativity get to me."
"When Peter Taylor left the club, it signalled the endof my time at leicester and when Crystal Palace came in for me, i was ready to start afresh"
City recoupled just £2.2 million fo the £5 million they shelled out and what Akinbiyi calls his 'rollercoaster ride' took another twist. Out of the Premiership pressure cooker, he was looking to ressurect his career when disaster struck again in the shape of a cruciate ligamnet injury. Then just three goals from 11 starts was a cue for a round of negative press.
"I did everything to get fit-I even had a machine attached to my bed that kept my knee moving when i was asleep. But i was out of action for 8 months and never really got my form or fitness back." he explains "I was struggling before the operation on my knee and struggled afterwards. I needed a change of scenery."
With just one goal afte his operation, joining Stoke on loan was the ideal remedy. The chance to link up again with Tony Pulis, the father figure Akinbiyi had often learnt on at Gillingham, had instant results and two goals in the final two games of the season in division one made him an overnight hero.
Keen to sign permanently with Stoke on the strength of his relationship with Pulis and supporters, Akinbiyi got stuck in a limbo amid protracted talks Palace chairman Simon Jordan to settle his contract. He finally arrived in the Britannia stadium in September. "Four times I had to turn around on my way up here-the whole thing was doing my head in" he recalls. "I thought it would never happen but it was a big relief when i signed on the dotted line. Although Walsall offered me more money, the chance to work with Tony Pulis and the passion of the fans made my mind up for me. The supporters have put the spring back in my step."
Five goals in nine games is recntly the clearest indication that the Akinbiyi of old is back, and as he continues to fire the club away from the drop zone, the former Norwich trainee is already looking to next season. " We've got five good strikers and thats keeping me on my toes, but the manager says you won't see the real me until i've had a full season under my belt. I'de go along with that. I really want to go for it next season because i still have a lot to offer"
END
Sounds good forus, he sounds like one of the plaers who is in the game because of his commitment to it and passion for football, not money. Although five good strikers; I can see three being him, gifted and Sarbs, but surely he doesn't mean Greenacre and iwelump?
Your thoughts?
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 7, 2004 12:00:49 GMT
He's probably just pleased to be popular figure at the club. Pulis is his father figure! Thats funny!
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 7, 2004 13:48:54 GMT
Ade's a great player and for some reason i typed it up from my copy of 442 instead of going to their website, where it probably would be. As i think i said a while ago, Ade runs on his confidence.
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 8, 2004 2:11:44 GMT
Goalscorers thrive on confidence. Ades goal against Ipswich sums it up. Taking it around the keeper is always a good sign and it was so clear he'd score. As if he was smiling as he did it. Great stuff!
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Post by Robo10 on Mar 8, 2004 8:13:48 GMT
He does well for a 19 year old - Been professional for 10 years! He must have been a strong boy!
;D
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Post by banburystokie on Mar 8, 2004 10:43:41 GMT
I think ade is a class player. kamara congratulated him on goals on sunday for reaching 100 league goals. ;D
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Post by onewaynebiggins on Mar 8, 2004 10:53:36 GMT
my brothers description of Ade's goal against Ipswich made me laugh out loud!
please remember my brother has NO interest in footy what so ever and barely watches it, however since he came out of the army a few months ago he has started looking out for stokes results AND has even said he may get a ST next year!
This is exactly how the phone call went,
my bro : what about ade's goal last night then!
me : good was'nt it.
my bro : yeah...bombed through the middle, and then a little " fuck you " around the goal keeper!
me : ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D LMAO
onewaynebiggins
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Post by A-teen_six_T3 on Mar 8, 2004 11:31:06 GMT
hell show the premiership the rue ade next season ;D
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 8, 2004 19:00:17 GMT
I'll be honest, i had to type the whole thing up, and it took me ages, and i'm not exactly a slow typer, but this means there will be a lot of mistakes. firstly, he is not 19 (as pointed out on the other board), he is 29. sorry for all of the mistakes and just hope he can prove me right about 'better than Stein'   |
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Post by markscfc72 on Mar 8, 2004 20:42:47 GMT
i bet hes pleased he chose us and not smallsall
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 8, 2004 20:47:42 GMT
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Post by markscfc72 on Mar 8, 2004 20:50:40 GMT
i wonder if tony tried to get merson and he was offered more money, if so then im glad we didnt get him
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Post by SuperStokie on Mar 8, 2004 20:53:15 GMT
It is an excellent article, 442 is a really quality read in my view. They don't cover one particular aspect like The Premiership, they make sure there is a variety of topics every issue on all walks of footballing life!
Really is triffic.
Jon
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Post by Hooky on Mar 9, 2004 6:34:03 GMT
The OneonOne with Brian Clough is very interesting.
442 is a quality read, had the last few issues and read every article.
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Post by JoeinOz on Mar 9, 2004 10:31:39 GMT
Cloughie is a legend but in recent years he's become a rather sad parody of himself.
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Post by dude on Mar 9, 2004 10:47:57 GMT
I love 442. Real quality mag, intelligently written.
The pic quiz good this month.
Great Ade article, nice to see in general he's getting the recognition he deserves. Even Central TV praising him....well he did play for Wolves I s'pose.
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 9, 2004 18:53:57 GMT
I like the mag, been having it for a couple of months. We're getting regular mentions now, what with Halls last week and a regular place in the side column in insode the nationwide
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Post by markscfc72 on Mar 9, 2004 20:20:07 GMT
does 442 have a website?
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 9, 2004 20:25:38 GMT
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Post by markscfc72 on Mar 9, 2004 20:37:29 GMT
hm, i see what you mean krissy ???
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